Shapes & Sizes
'모양' (moyang) means 'shape' and '크기' (keugi) means 'size.' When you describe an object, you'll often mention its shape and size.
Basic Shapes
| Shape | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 동그라미 | donggeurami | circle |
| 네모 | nemo | square |
| 세모 | semo | triangle |
| 별 | byeol | star |
| 하트 | hateu | heart |
Describing Size
'크다' (keuda) means 'big' and '작다' (jakda) means 'small.' You say things like '이 가방은 커요' (i gabangeun keoyo, 'This bag is big'), and the opposite is '작아요' (jagayo, 'small').
달은 동그라미예요.
dareun donggeuramiyeyo.
The moon is a circle.
이 상자는 네모예요.
i sangjaneun nemoyeyo.
This box is a square.
코끼리는 커요. 개미는 작아요.
kokkirineun keoyo. gaemineun jagayo.
An elephant is big. An ant is small.
하늘에 별이 반짝여요.
haneure byeori banjjagyeoyo.
Stars twinkle in the sky.
이 창문은 네모예요.
i changmuneun nemoyeyo.
This window is a square.
Long and Short
'길다' (gilda) means 'long' and '짧다' (jjalbda) means 'short,' as in '이 연필은 길어요' (i yeonpireun gireoyo, 'This pencil is long'). Combining shape and size lets you describe an object well.
기차는 아주 길어요.
gichaneun aju gireoyo.
The train is very long.
| Word | Romanization | English |
|---|---|---|
| 크다 | keuda | to be big |
| 작다 | jakda | to be small |
| 길다 | gilda | to be long |
| 짧다 | jjalbda | to be short |
| 둥글다 | dunggeulda | to be round |
Describing Your Surroundings
Put color, shape, and size together and you can describe almost anything around you: '저기 큰 빨간색 동그라미가 있어요' (jeogi keun ppalgansaek donggeuramiga isseoyo, 'There is a big red circle over there').
💡 Tip: Tip: '동그라미' (circle), '네모' (square), and '세모' (triangle) are simple, everyday words even Korean children use — easy to remember!